Pearce and Wilson announce new endorsements

Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson have both gained high-profile endorsements in the last few days as they jockey for position in the GOP U.S. Senate primary.

Wilson has picked up the endorsements of Episcopal Rev. Canon Albert Tarbell of Albuquerque and U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo. Allard is the first U.S. senator to endorse a candidate in the New Mexico Senate primary.

“New Mexico Republicans should nominate a candidate in June who’ll be able to defeat the Democrats and hold Senator Pete Domenici’s seat come January,” Allard said in a news release from the Wilson campaign. “Control of the U.S. Senate is hanging on just a handful of races around the country, and this New Mexico race is one of them. I’m proud to endorse Heather Wilson because she is a commonsense conservative who can win in November.”

Tarbell called Wilson “experienced and bright” and said he is proud to endorse her.

“I believe Heather is a person of strong faith and values,” he said in a release. “She has represented her district well and I believe she will make a fantastic United States senator.”

Pearce, meanwhile, picked up the endorsements of the Albuquerque Police Officer’s Association and the Campaign for Working Families. The association’s endorsement is significant in part because it comes from the state’s largest city, which Wilson has represented in Congress for years.

“Steve Pearce possesses the knowledge, experience and, most importantly, the dedication to represent us in Washington,” Benjamin Baker, vice president of the association, said in a news release from the Pearce campaign.

Pearce said he was honored to receive the endorsement of the Campaign for Working Families.

“I am pleased to see Americans who support pro-family, pro-life and pro-growth policies are continuing to speak out in favor of my candidacy for U.S. Senate,” he said in a release. “Family budgets continue to feel the pressure from high gas and food prices. I am proud to stand up for the things that will give working families the opportunity to provide for their loved ones and establish a higher quality of life.”